JP3780184B2 - Inspection method before visual inspection of inspection object and inspection device before visual inspection - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inspection method before visual inspection of an inspection object and an inspection device before visual inspection.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various inspection processes are provided in a manufacturing process of products in order to prevent a product that has serious defects and is not worth using, that is, defective products from the market. In the inspection process, for the following reasons, the inspection using only the inspection apparatus is not sufficient, and in many cases, the inspection by the inspector is taken.
[0003]
In other words, the wrinkles of the object to be inspected are not necessarily limited to practical defects due to their shape and quality as well as their area and volume. In other words, there are a large number of bags that do not have any effect on practical use, and there is no necessity of discarding an object to be inspected having a bag that does not affect practical use. There is also no inspection device that immediately determines the practical effects of the various forms of cocoons. Furthermore, the inspection apparatus may erroneously determine a bag that does not exist at all. This is why the inspection by the inspector is necessary. The inspection apparatus has the ability to detect fine wrinkles with higher resolution, and has a logic circuit that determines whether or not it can be used. It is left to the judgment of the inspector.
[0004]
Here, the visual inspection by the inspector means that the inspector actually checks the defects of the inspected object, which is difficult to determine whether the inspection apparatus can be used or not, and compares it with a predetermined defect standard. It is determined whether it can be used or not based on rules of thumb and experience.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in recent years, the inspection object has been required to have a higher quality, and the wrinkles that should be determined by the inspector as to whether or not to be used have become finer. For this reason, there has been a problem in that the load in the inspection is increased, the inspection efficiency is lowered, and the inspection is incomplete by the inspector who should be the final determination.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a visual inspection before inspection method and an inspection apparatus before visual inspection, which support the visual inspection in which most of the effort has hitherto been put into finding fine defects and improve the inspection efficiency and accuracy. Is to provide.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In accordance with the present invention, an inspection method before visual inspection of an inspection object, wherein the inspection object is an electrophotographic photoreceptor ,
A defect signal detection step of detecting a defect signal based on a defect state of said electrophotographic photosensitive member,
Based on the wrinkle signal detected by the wrinkle signal detection step, a wrinkle detailed information generating step for generating wrinkle detailed information including wrinkle position information ;
Based on the defect position information included in the defect detail information generated by the defect detailed information generation step, the printing by a laser beam, the defect details of the non-image areas and the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the electrophotographic photosensitive member瑕疵 Detailed information visualization process to visualize on the longitudinal extension line of 瑕疵 position ,
An inspection method before visual inspection of an object to be inspected is provided.
[0008]
Further, according to the present invention, an inspection apparatus before visual inspection of an inspection object, wherein the inspection object is an electrophotographic photosensitive member before visual inspection ,
A defect signal detecting means for detecting a defect signal based on a defect state of said electrophotographic photosensitive member,
瑕疵 detailed information generating means for generating 瑕疵 detailed information including heel position information based on the heel signal detected by the heel signal detecting means;
Based on the defect position information included in the defect detail information generated by the defect detailed information generating means, the printing by a laser beam, the defect details of the non-image areas and the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the electrophotographic photosensitive member瑕疵 Detailed information visualization means for visualization on the longitudinal extension of the heel position ;
There is provided an inspection apparatus before visual inspection of an object to be inspected.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, in addition to the above requirements, it is determined whether the object to be inspected requires visual inspection or no visual inspection based on the detailed wrinkle information generated in the detailed wrinkle information generation step. It is preferable to visualize the wrinkle detail information only on the inspection object determined to be important.
[0010]
Further, it is more preferable that the detailed wrinkle information generated by the detailed wrinkle information generating process includes the wrinkle position information because the labor for finding a wrinkle during visual inspection can be effectively reduced.
[0011]
In addition, when visualizing the detailed eyelid information on the inspection object, it is preferable to visualize it on the non-use area of the inspection object. Here, the non-use area is a non-image area if the object to be inspected is an electrophotographic photosensitive member specifically mentioned later, and is a non-charge area if it is a primary charging member or a transfer charging member. That is, in the present invention, the non-use area means an area that is not an area necessary for the inspection object to exhibit its characteristics.
[0012]
As a means for visualizing the detailed information on the inspection object, a printing means using a recording pen, an ink jet, or a laser beam is preferable from the viewpoints of printing stability and design freedom of the visualizing means. Among them, it is preferable in that the printing means using laser light can print more finely, since no coloring material such as ink is used, the coloring material does not scatter and the maintainability of the printing means is improved.
[0013]
In addition, since the detailed wrinkle information to be visualized has restrictions on the position to be visualized, it is preferable to symbolize the position of the wrinkle, the type of wrinkles, the number of wrinkles, etc. with arithmetic numbers or figures, and to make it as simple as possible.
[0014]
In addition, when this invention is applied to the member which has functionality on the surface as a to-be-inspected object, since sufficient test | inspection can be performed without damaging the function, the effect is exhibited notably. The tendency is that an electrophotographic member whose quality of the functional surface is directly linked to image quality, such as an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a primary charging member, a developer carrying member, an intermediate transfer member, a transfer charging member or a fixing member of the present invention. When the electrophotographic photosensitive member is applied as an object to be inspected in the present invention, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is greatly affected by a single wrinkle. The effect is more remarkable.
[0015]
When the object to be inspected is an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the 瑕疵 detailed information includes 瑕疵 position information, and the 瑕疵 detailed information is visualized on the longitudinal extension line of the heel position derived based on the 瑕疵 position information and in a non-image area. It is preferable.
[0016]
In addition, the detection of the wrinkle signal includes the following method, taking the case where the inspection object is an electrophotographic photosensitive member as an example.
[0017]
JP-A-63-73139, JP-A-7-218442, No. 2935881, No. 2967291, etc. disclose means for optically detecting wrinkles in a photosensitive layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member. Yes. As a means for optically identifying the wrinkles of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, for example, there is a method using laser light. The laser light emitted from the light source is converted into parallel light through a beam expander, and this is irradiated at an acute angle on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. If there is no wrinkle on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the reflected light is reflected as parallel light at a constant angle. However, if wrinkles are present on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the laser light is scattered at the positions of the wrinkles, and the reflected light is disturbed. The reflected light is captured by a photoelectric element, the difference between the input light and the reflected light is photoelectrically converted, and the light is identified as an electric signal.
[0018]
JP-A-57-192847, JP-A-1620166, JP-A-2539218 and the like disclose a method for detecting wrinkles by a change in an electric signal flowing through a photosensitive layer. As a method for electrically identifying the wrinkles of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, for example, there is a method using a high voltage power source. A conductive charging roller is brought into contact with the photosensitive layer, and a voltage corresponding to the thickness of the film of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is applied while the charging roller and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are rotated synchronously. If the film thickness is uniform and the film quality is uniform, the withstand voltage of the entire electrophotographic photosensitive member is uniform. However, if there is a partial change in film thickness or film quality, the value of the current flowing through the electrophotographic photosensitive member may change, or leakage may occur in some cases. These changes are read to identify the trap.
[0019]
According to these inspections, it is possible to obtain a wrinkle signal relating to a spot-like wrinkle, a streaky wrinkle, a bubble-like wrinkle, or a flaw or a deposit on the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
[0020]
【Example】
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings along examples.
[0021]
As an example of the present invention, an example using an electrophotographic photosensitive member as an object to be inspected will be given.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a form of an inspection apparatus before visual inspection for an electrophotographic photoreceptor in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023]
Via the signal line 101, an electrophotographic photosensitive member conveyance unit 102, inspection units (瑕疵 signal detection means) 103 to 105, and a laser irradiation unit (瑕疵 detailed information visualization means) 106 are connected to a host computer 107, These units are controlled by the host computer 107 directly or via another unit such as a sequencer or a controller.
[0024]
In the case where the inspection unit is an optical inspection unit, a light source for making light incident on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a camera for detecting reflected light (light signal) from the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a flaw detected by the camera. An optical inspection unit computer having a function of processing a signal and transmitting the signal to the host computer 107 is provided.
[0025]
When the host computer 107 generates detailed information (information such as the position, type, and number of wrinkles) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member from the wrinkle signal, the data sent from the optical inspection unit to the host computer 107 is瑕疵 raw data such as light scattering and location information where scattering occurred.
[0026]
In addition, when the inspection unit is another type of inspection unit, for example, an electrical inspection unit, a charger for applying a voltage to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a current value (瑕疵 signal) or voltage in the electrophotographic photosensitive member A computer for an electrical inspection unit having a function of detecting a voltage / voltage value detector for detecting a voltage value (瑕疵 signal) at the time of application, and processing a signal detected by the detector and transmitting it to the host computer 107 have.
[0027]
In order to obtain the eyelid position information by the inspection unit, the inspection unit may be provided with a position sensor such as an encoder for detecting a part of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Of course, a position sensor may be provided separately from the inspection unit.
[0028]
Hereinafter, in conjunction with FIG. 1, the pre-visual inspection inspection in conjunction with the operation of the unit constituting the apparatus using the flow chart (FIG. 2) of the pre-visual inspection using the pre-visual inspection apparatus in the present embodiment. To the visual inspection.
[0029]
In FIG. 2, before and after the processing of 201 to 205 performed by the CPU 301 to be described in an easy-to-understand manner, the flow from introduction to the inspection device before visual inspection to visual inspection for final determination is also shown. Indicated.
[0030]
The electrophotographic photosensitive member loaded on the loading stage 112 of the inspection apparatus before visual inspection is held on the transport unit 102.
[0031]
The electrophotographic photosensitive member held on the transport unit 102 is first sent to a position to be inspected from the inspection unit 103 (inspection stage 113) by rotation of the transport unit 102, and sequentially inspected from the inspection unit 104 (inspection). The stage 114) is sent from the inspection unit 105 to a position to be inspected (inspection stage 115), so that the inspection units 103 to 105 perform various optical or electrical inspections for each part or each defect, and color (contrast) Signals related to the film state, electrical characteristics, etc. (瑕疵 signal) are obtained together with the heel position signal. (201 in FIG. 2)
As an example of the inspection content, as described above, the electrophotographic photosensitive member rotating around the axis is irradiated with white light, and the reflected light is input to a photoelectric conversion element such as a line sensor or a CCD camera to detect a change in contrast. Inspecting for color flaws that distinguish between normal and abnormal parts, similarly, the rotating electrophotographic photosensitive member is irradiated with laser light at an acute angle to the photosensitive layer, and the reflected light is applied to a photoelectric sensor such as a line sensor or a CCD camera. Input to the conversion element, detect changes in film quality or film thickness from disturbances in the reflection angle, inspect the film for discriminating between normal and abnormal parts, apply voltage to the photosensitive layer with a corona charger or charging roller Various inspection methods such as an apparatus for detecting the electric voltage of the photosensitive layer by detecting the charged voltage and the current flowing in the photosensitive layer are employed.
[0032]
In FIG. 1, it is divided into three inspection stages 113 to 115 to be inspected by the inspection units 103 to 105, and the color (contrast), film state, and electrical characteristics are inspected. However, the layout and inspection of the inspection light source and photoelectric conversion element are inspected. Depending on the range and inspection items, a plurality of inspections may be performed simultaneously on one inspection stage.
[0033]
The wrinkle signal or the like is sent from each inspection unit 103 to 105 to the host computer 107. (202 in FIG. 2)
The host computer 107 to which the above-described wrinkle signal is sent from each inspection unit generates wrinkle detailed information such as which type of wrinkles at which position on which electrophotographic photosensitive member. (203 in FIG. 2)
After the host computer 107 generates the 瑕疵 detailed information, the host computer 107 can use the electrophotographic photosensitive member based on the 瑕疵 detailed information, which can be used practically without any problem and does not require visual inspection (no visual inspection is required). It is judged whether it corresponds to the thing (visual inspection required) which cannot be judged whether or not and needs a visual inspection. (204 in FIG. 2)
This determination is made by comparison with a predetermined bag reference database provided in the host computer.
[0034]
Next, among the electrophotographic photosensitive members sent to the position (visualization stage 116) where the detailed eyelid information is visualized by the laser beam irradiation unit (the eyelid detail information visualization means) 106 by the transport unit 102, it was determined that visual inspection is necessary. Only the electrophotographic photosensitive member visualizes the wrinkle detailed information stored in the host computer (205 in FIG. 2).
[0035]
The visualization of the detailed information is printed as character information to be described later on a non-image portion at the end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member by a carbon dioxide laser beam or the like.
[0036]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the host computer 107 according to the first embodiment of this invention.
[0037]
301 is a CPU. The CPU 301 controls various components connected via the bus 308 to perform data transmission / reception, data combination, and the like. Via this bus 308, address signals, control signals, and various data are transferred between various components (devices) connected to the bus 308. The CPU 301 performs the processes 201 to 205 shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0038]
Reference numeral 302 denotes a ROM (read only memory). The ROM 302 stores a control procedure (computer program) of the CPU 301 in advance, and the CPU 301 executes the control procedure to execute processing such as data transmission / reception and determination of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It becomes possible. The RAM 303 is used as a temporary memory for controlling transmission and reception of data, a work memory for the determination, and control of each component.
[0039]
Reference numeral 304 denotes a storage external storage device such as a hard disk storage device that does not erase the stored contents even when the power is turned off, and stores a database or the like. Reference numeral 305 denotes a signal line interface for connecting each unit of FIG. 1 with a signal line.
[0040]
Reference numeral 306 denotes an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, which is used for inputting data such as pre-inspection inspection conditions to the host computer. Reference numeral 307 denotes an output device such as a display that is used to display an input screen for various data.
[0041]
FIG. 4 shows an example of printing character information on the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a specific example of character information.
[0042]
As shown in the print pattern 401, the character information is displayed in a combination of three characters, the first character is the position in the electrophotographic photosensitive member axial direction of the heel, the second character is the heel type, the third character is the number of heels. Become.
[0043]
The position in the circumferential direction to be printed is the end portion of the non-image portion at the circumferential position corresponding to the worst degree of wrinkles detected as indicated by the print position 402.
[0044]
The size of the printed character may be selected appropriately, but in this example, it is 2 mm square. In addition, the laser light intensity and the spot diameter are selected at appropriate levels that do not adversely affect the periphery of the printing portion such as spatter and blistering.
[0045]
For example, as shown in the print example 403, the content indicated by the character string “1 • 2” is “dot-shaped (potential) within the application area 1/10 area from the upper end portion of the application area on the extension line of the circumferential position where the character string exists. ), And the number is 2 in total, including other moths. "
It becomes.
[0046]
The wrinkle detailed information stored in the host computer 107 includes a heavy wrinkle that does not require visual inspection by an inspector in a later process, a light wrinkle on the boundary of the possibility determination, and an extremely fine wrinkle Although the above-mentioned false detection of the wrinkle signal detecting means is included, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member (inspected object) having a severe flaw is visually discarded by an inspector by being immediately discarded after being discharged from the inspection apparatus before visual inspection. Inspection can be abolished. Such an electrophotographic photosensitive member (inspected object) to be discarded, an electrophotographic photosensitive member (inspected object) that requires visual inspection by an inspector, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member (completely good product) that should proceed to the next process ( The sorting step of the (inspection object) may be provided after being discharged from the discharge stage 117 of the inspection apparatus before visual inspection.
[0047]
The electrophotographic photosensitive member thus sorted and printed is subjected to visual inspection by an inspector, and a final determination as to whether or not the product can be used is made.
[0048]
The inspector can know the position, number, type, etc. of the wrinkles in advance from the detailed wrinkle information visualized on the edge of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, so that it is possible to carry out a visual inspection very efficiently. This makes it possible to prevent mistakes such as oversights and satisfy inspection accuracy.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in recent years, wrinkles to be identified on the object to be inspected have become finer due to an increasing demand for quality. These traps were only more difficult to find unless their location was specified in advance. The inspection method and inspection apparatus according to the present invention have greatly improved both the efficiency and accuracy of the inspection process in which most of the effort has hitherto been put in finding fine wrinkles.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an inspection apparatus before visual inspection in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a host computer of the inspection apparatus before visual inspection in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a print example of character information on an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a specific example of character information in an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 signal line 102 transport unit 103 inspection unit 104 inspection unit 105 inspection unit 106 laser light irradiation unit 107 host computer 112 input stage 113 inspection stage 114 inspection stage 115 inspection stage 116 visualization stage 117 discharge stage 301 CPU
302 ROM
303 RAM
304 External Storage Device 305 Signal Line Interface 306 Input Device 307 Output Device 308 Bus 401 Print Pattern 402 Print Position 403 Print Example

Claims (10)

An inspection method before visual inspection of an inspection object, wherein the inspection object is an electrophotographic photosensitive member before visual inspection ,
A defect signal detection step of detecting a defect signal based on a defect state of said electrophotographic photosensitive member,
Based on the wrinkle signal detected by the wrinkle signal detection step, a wrinkle detailed information generating step for generating wrinkle detailed information including wrinkle position information ;
Based on the defect position information included in the defect detail information generated by the defect detailed information generation step, the printing by a laser beam, the defect details of the non-image areas and the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the electrophotographic photosensitive member瑕疵 Detailed information visualization process to visualize on the longitudinal extension line of 瑕疵 position ,
A method for inspecting an object to be inspected before visual inspection. The inspection method before the visual inspection of the inspection object is further required based on the wrinkle detailed information generated by the wrinkle detailed information generating step, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member that is the inspection object does not require visual inspection and does not require visual inspection. An inspection object determination process for determining which is,
The said detailed wrinkle information visualization process is a process of visualizing the said detailed wrinkle information only for the electrophotographic photosensitive member determined to be required for visual inspection by the inspected object determination process. Inspection method before visual inspection. The inspection method before visual inspection of the object to be inspected further includes a 瑕疵 detailed information symbolizing step for encoding 瑕疵 detailed information generated by the 瑕疵 detailed information generating step,
Defects detailed information is visualized in the defect details visualization process, visual inspection before inspection method of the object according to claim 1 or 2 is a flaw detailed information which is symbolized by the defect details symbolized step . The wrinkle signal detecting step includes a light incident step in which light is incident on the electrophotographic photosensitive member that is the object to be inspected, and a reflected light that detects reflected light from the electrophotographic photosensitive member to which light is incident in the light incident step. An inspection method before visual inspection of an object to be inspected according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the inspection step is an optical wrinkle signal detection step. The wrinkle signal detecting step includes a voltage applying step of applying a voltage to the electrophotographic photosensitive member as the inspection object, and a current value or a voltage applying step in the electrophotographic photosensitive member to which a voltage has been applied in the voltage applying step. An inspection method before visual inspection of an object to be inspected according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , which is an electrical signal detection step having a current / voltage value detection step of detecting a voltage value in the step. An inspection device before visual inspection of an inspection object, wherein the inspection object is an electrophotographic photosensitive member before visual inspection ,
A defect signal detecting means for detecting a defect signal based on a defect state of said electrophotographic photosensitive member,
瑕疵 detailed information generating means for generating 瑕疵 detailed information including heel position information based on the heel signal detected by the heel signal detecting means;
Based on the defect position information included in the defect detail information generated by the defect detailed information generating means, the printing by a laser beam, the defect details of the non-image areas and the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the electrophotographic photosensitive member瑕疵 Detailed information visualization means for visualization on the longitudinal extension of the heel position ;
An inspection apparatus before visual inspection of an inspection object, characterized by comprising: The inspection device before visual inspection of the object to be inspected further requires that the electrophotographic photosensitive member as the object to be inspected be visually inspected and inspected based on the wrinkle detailed information generated by the wrinkle detailed information generating means. Inspected object determining means for determining which is,
The defect details visualization means, of the object according to the defect details only for electrophotographic photosensitive member is determined inspection requirements by obtaining step object determining unit in claim 6 is a means for visualizing Inspection device before visual inspection. The visual inspection pre-inspection apparatus for the object to be inspected further has 瑕疵 detailed information symbolizing means for encoding 瑕疵 detailed information generated by the 瑕疵 detailed information generating means,
Defects detailed information is visualized by the defect details visualizing means, visual inspection prior inspection apparatus of the inspection object according to claim 6 or 7 a flaw detailed information which is symbolized by the defect details symbol means . The wrinkle signal detecting means detects light reflected from the electrophotographic photosensitive member on which light is incident by the light incident means, and light incident means that makes light incident on the electrophotographic photosensitive member that is the inspection object. An inspection device before visual inspection of an inspection object according to any one of claims 6 to 8 , which is an optical wrinkle signal detection means having a detection means. The wrinkle signal detecting means applies voltage to the electrophotographic photosensitive member as the inspection object, and the current value or voltage applying means in the electrophotographic photosensitive member to which the voltage is applied by the voltage applying means. 9. An inspection apparatus before visual inspection of an object to be inspected according to any one of claims 6 to 8 , which is an electrical wrinkle signal detection means having a current / voltage value detection means for detecting a voltage value at the point.

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